Port Chester Senator Calls On FDA To Prevent Limits On Abortion Pill

PORT CHESTER, NY — state Sen. Shelly Mayer and 31 Democratic colleagues issued a letter Tuesday to Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of Food and Drugs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in response to the Supreme Court striking down the pharmaceutical distribution of the abortion pill in June.

The mifepristone pill, has become an essential option for those an abortion via the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy and Elements To Assure Safe Use requirements, according to Mayer’s Office.

“In New York State, we have taken strong steps to ensure we remain one of only several safe haven states for women seeking an abortion,” Mayer said in a statement. “We are concerned that, notwithstanding the safety and efficacy of mifepristone for use in medical abortions, the FDA’s current limitations on prescribers and planned restrictions on pharmacies place unwarranted limits on who can prescribe, dispense and obtain mifepristone.

“These limits are not acceptable given the safety and efficacy of this medication, the unique applicability of the medication for medical abortion, and the urgent need for action. As some of us have already requested prior to the Dobbs decision, we urge you to reexamine your current rules and move to immediately expand who may prescribe and dispense this medication.”

Earlier this year, Mayer co-sponsored legislation to protect patients traveling to New York for healthcare from other states that no longer support reproductive rights as well as providers, according to her office.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on June 13, and the legislature has begun the process of codifying reproductive rights in the Empire State’s constitution during the extraordinary session.